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AMD Is Exploring A Very Interesting, More-Open Linux Driver Strategy

This week I was out at the Game Developer's Conference not with a focus on games but to learn about some changes they AMD currently pursuing for their Linux driver model. If this new Linux driver model goes through, the Catalyst Linux driver will be more open, but it's not without some risk. Read more in this Phoronix exclusive story.

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This is some really interesting news, and not something I expected at all. I think it sounds like a pretty good plan, though honestly I think it'd be perfectly fine to make the FOSS drivers keep up with catalyst and then just ditch catalyst altogether.

I'm really happy AMD is putting this much attention and effort into Linux. They'll eventually become the most recommendable graphics solution if they keep it up.

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Personally, I think that most of Michael's concerns are not as problematic as it sounds like, and that this approach is very much doable (and beneficial due to no more duplication of work and the merge of existing features in both kernel drivers).

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Besides the risks, this sounds exciting! I just love people and companies
that are brave enough to rethink their previously made decisions.
AMD were among the first to release detailed (and useful) programming
docs for GPUs and this might be another groundbreaking thing.

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In fairness, we did send a Kaveri system. Not a "card" technically, but it is hardware

bridgman - I figure you have a unique perspective due to having worked with the open source driver for quite a while. How do you feel about this development? What are your thoughts on having a Catalyst user space interacting with the open source radeon DRM?

One of the things I took from the article it sounds like Michael had concerns in AMD possibly needing to rework parts of the DRM component of the open source driver to interact with Catalyst down the track and this potentially being an issue being accepted upstream if changes become extensive. Do you think this could be an issue?